A few months ago, I wrote about going to my local Target store to ask for donations for the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. I had heard from my friend Myles that he had a friend serving in the Army in Iraq, and that all the soldiers out there were limited to staying on base during their free time. That meant they were cramped in tents and temporary buildings, with absolutely nothing to do to occupy their time, relieve the tension, and just generally relax. That sort of situation is so hazardous for morale and must be incredibly hard to deal with in such a place as Iraq.

Myles and I decided we should try to help. Unfortunately, as of March, due to corporate rules, no one could donate anything for the soldiers without donating items through a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization. We tried to get the Red Cross to support us, but due to corporate rules of their own, they were unable to do so despite their best intentions. We were rather disappointed, but understood, and knew that we had tried our best.

However. Guess who has their own tax-exempt status now!

I got started on this project again a few days ago, when another soldier – SPC Jones – happened to find my site while searching for information on morale donations for the soldiers. He emailed me to ask if I had been successful in my attempts. That’s when I was reminded that I needed to get to work, now that I’m all 501(c)3 official. This afternoon I finally had a chance to really get all gung-ho about it and I’ve decided to launch an annual charity program through the Daily Prophet. All inspired by Myles and SPC Jones.

So what’s the plan? It’s an annual charity book-drive, promoted through the Daily Prophet, and every year it will benefit different organizations. This year, all of the books and items we collect will be sent to various units in Iraq and Afghanistan. Next year, I’m thinking we’ll organize donations for various schools in South Africa or maybe Sierra Leone. I’ve launched the program on DProphet.com as the first annual Literacy Quest Book-Drive, and I’ve asked that our readers donate as many used books as possible by mailing them to my company’s PO Box address. Then, after I’ve collected enough books, I’ll send regular care packages out to the soldiers. In each package we’ll include disposable cameras, which the soldiers can use to take pictures of each other as they unpack the boxes. Then, they can mail the cameras back to us, we’ll develop the film, and post the pictures on our website. I think it’ll be a great exercise for the kids, and it’ll be nice for them to see just how much good they’re doing for people on the other side of the world.

SPC Jones sent me a few hundred photos of his unit and where they’re stationed in Iraq. Let me tell you, these men and women need our help. Their homes are tents and temporary barracks, they’re sleeping on nasty looking cots, and they live day in and day out in horrendous heat. The danger is overwhelming, and yet somehow, in so many of the pictures, many of the men still managed to smile. They need a way to take a break, calm down after the long, hard hours of work, and step away from the danger of their day to day lives. I think books are a good start – it’ll be a nice way for them to get away mentally.

So, do you have any used books that are just collecting dust on the shelf? Put them to good use and let me send them to people like SPC Jones. They really need our love and support right now. You can mail the books here:

The Daily Prophet
PO Box 3114
Sterling, VA 20167-3114

Even if you don’t agree with the war, it doesn’t change the fact that these soldiers are risking their lives for us. I think this is a nice way to say thank you. Or, if you don’t have any books to donate, we’d all really appreciate it if you’d help spread the word. A simple link would be fantastic. Also, I’ve created a few ad banners if you’d prefer something like that. I’ve created three, in small, medium, and large. If you decide to post an ad on your site, please email me and let me know!

The good news doesn’t end there. This afternoon I went over to Target and found the same manager that I had spoken to about this back in March. I explained to her that I had gotten a tax ID number and asked if Target would still be interested in donating to the cause. They are! My local Target in Sterling is going to donate a great deal of books and things to send to the troops. All it took was one simple question and they’re jumping right on it.

Needless to say, today has been a remarkable day. And tomorrow? I’m going to try to make it over to Borders and Barnes & Noble to see if they’d be willing to help out too. I have a lot of units to send care packages to. Want to help? Believe me, after today, I feel better than I have in the past few months. I’ve been sick, I’ve been miserable, but suddenly, I’m doing so many happy dances I can barely contain myself. It’s fun, you should come play too. Give me a book or two and we’ll talk. 🙂